Blackberry Storm on VF in NZ?

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Geektastic

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Topic # 26972 8-Oct-2008 22:59

I picked this up from the Telegraph website in the UK:
"The device, called the BlackBerry Storm, offers many of the same features found on the Apple iPhone, and will be available exclusively on the Vodafone network.
It is due to hit shops in time for Christmas, with tariffs starting at about £35 per month, including unlimited internet browsing. "
It is a touch screen BB with more MP in the camera, video record capabilities and so on.
Has anyone heard if we will get it?
If we do I bet we don't get unlimited internet use for $100/month!!

freitasm

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Reply # 170021 8-Oct-2008 23:17

Check the story in our frontpage for more information.

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Reply # 170025 8-Oct-2008 23:30

Wow - very cool looking device. No idea what EV DO ABCD blah blah networks are though! Life was so much simpler when it was just GSM...!!
Wonder what it will cost. I have had a couple of BB's in the past and found them reliable and robust - so hope that this is too and that it competes well on price. I also hope that VF give us decent data options - unlimited is still the only way to go with these devices and VF are going to have to bite that bullet sooner rather than later, methinks.

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Reply # 170047 9-Oct-2008 08:09

Geektastic: Wow - very cool looking device. No idea what EV DO ABCD blah blah networks are though! Life was so much simpler when it was just GSM...!!

Oh, but you know EVDO well - this is what Telecom New Zealand currently uses - and there wasn't ever a time that it was all "just GSM"...

Geektastic: I also hope that VF give us decent data options - unlimited is still the only way to go with these devices and VF are going to have to bite that bullet sooner rather than later, methinks.

But why? It's a small device, like other smartphones, and it has a limited memory when compared with laptops. So why would you need "unlimited" instead of "reasonable"? For example, in th USA you can get "unlimited" data on Prepay with AT&T for US$19.95 a month.

The "unlimited" is actually capped at 5GB - which is still a lot of data for a mobile device, but would you really need "unlimited"?

Why ask for more than one can eat?

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Reply # 170051 9-Oct-2008 08:30

I think that the issue is not really knowing how much you might use.
Say one month 2Mb might be fine - then you have a busy one and 10 is used. The lack of flexibility and often high cost of exceeding allowances makes for a lot of uncertainty for lots of non-expert users. Most people don't really know what can be done within a certain amount of Mb's, I think.

Overclocker01

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Reply # 170079 9-Oct-2008 09:57

That looks like one awesome device, it will be interesting to c what price and plans Voda comes out with.... Anyone know if you will be able to install / run third party apps? and can we buy 16gb microSD cards in NZ if so how much

freitasm

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Reply # 170081 9-Oct-2008 10:06

Yes, you will be able to install apps from the Geekzone Software Store for example and others. You can buy memory cards in New Zealand through many outlets - just check prices at Pricespy or got to Flashcards for the best service..

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Overclocker01

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Reply # 170107 9-Oct-2008 11:21

I cant believe this phone is lacking a wi-fi connection? Having a wi-fi enabled smart phone is a huge bonus, especially when we pay so much for data in NZ. However the 3.2mp camera + camera functions, copy and paste, mms etc. are a huge bonus when compared to the iphone.

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Reply # 170267 9-Oct-2008 19:44

Nokia 5800 is another option WITH wifi and dual band 3G (900/2100)

compost

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Reply # 170522 10-Oct-2008 21:49

The enterprise friendly evdo-compatible iphone killer - and it's exclusive to Vodafone? This is an unmitigated disaster for Telecom. I wonder if Vodafone NZ has a steady stream of exclusivity requests for UK so they can continue to shove them down Telecom's throat...

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Reply # 171488 16-Oct-2008 11:54

I think the fact that the Storm does not have Wifi is problematic for NZ users. While this is no issue for most overseas markets where generous data plans abound, the current dataplans available in NZ are expensive and stingy.

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slartibartfast

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Reply # 171498 16-Oct-2008 12:15

Vodafone are currently running roadshows around the country for corporates to announce the new devices.

Apparently at the Auckland event they didn't give a price on the Storm - but did explicitly state that it would be less than the Bold ($1199) as it is more of a "consumer device". They also announced new blackberry plans with significantly increased data - however they didn't acctually announce the details of the plans (data cap or price)...sigh. Should be coming out soon.

I'd expect an RRP price of around $900 - definitely under $1k according to a Voda account rep.

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Reply # 171516 16-Oct-2008 13:31

It was disclosed just after their announcement that it would be $999.

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Overclocker01

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Reply # 171521 16-Oct-2008 13:51

yay another Awesome phone comes into NZ and yet you still have to pay for the phone when signed up to a 2 yr contract. Sigh, I wonder if things if will ever change

Dulouz

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Reply # 171523 16-Oct-2008 14:07

Not anytime soon, if ever.

My advice, don't even think about it or even better - don't buy the phones. They will only screw you if you let them.

Amanon

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Reply # 171579 16-Oct-2008 15:59

slartibartfast: Vodafone are currently running roadshows around the country for corporates to announce the new devices.

Apparently at the Auckland event they didn't give a price on the Storm - but did explicitly state that it would be less than the Bold ($1199) as it is more of a "consumer device". They also announced new blackberry plans with significantly increased data - however they didn't acctually announce the details of the plans (data cap or price)...sigh. Should be coming out soon.

I'd expect an RRP price of around $900 - definitely under $1k according to a Voda account rep.

I still think they should be free on any contract plan that costs as much as they do here.
High time VF ("The Global Network") had one class of customer irrespective of their country of residence and one US$ based pricing structure worldwide. The claim to be global might be more believable then!